Logistics

LOCATION

We are thrilled to host the SPRE Summit at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University. We made the choice to host the SPRE Summit here because not only is it a Detroit institution, but also is a big supporter of community driven, community serving spaces, and we are very excited to partner with them. It is a publicly funded university and resources and accommodations are typical of US universities.

We have two room blocks for the conference – Cambria Hotel Downtown Detroit & Doubletree Suites Detroit Downtown – located right next to each other. Wayne State University is located in Midtown Detroit, and the hotel infrastructure for the city is in Downtown Detroit. Since these are different neighborhoods, the hotels are not walkable to the conference venue. Transportation options between the hotels and conference venue will include limited complimentary buses, a short uber/lyft or taxi ride, or a free public transportation ride on Detroit’s Q line.

Read more about Detroit’s downtown neighborhood and Detroit’s midtown neighborhood.

Cambria hotel

Hotel Room Block 1

Cambria Hotel Downtown Detroit

600 W Lafayette Blvd
Detroit, Michigan, 48226, US

McGregor Memorial

SPRE Summit Venue

McGregor Memorial Conference Center – Wayne State University

McGregor Memorial Conference Center
95 Gilmour Mall
Detroit, Michigan, 48202, US

Double Tree Hotel

Hotel Room Block 2

Doubletree Suites Detroit Downtown

525 W Lafayette Blvd
Detroit, Michigan, 48266, US

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 24th

Start TimeEnd TimeActivity
12:00 PM4:00 PMRegistration / Check In
1:00 PM4:00 PMSPRE Tour – Separate Registration Required (Opportunity 1)
5:00 PM7:00 PMOpening Reception​

Wednesday, October 25th

Start TimeEnd TimeActivity
7:30 AM8:45 AMGrab & Go Breakfast
9:00 AM10:00 AMOpening Plenary Session
10:30 AM12:00 PMWorkshop Session 1
12:15 PM1:30 PMLunch
1:45 PM3:15 PMWorkshop Session 2OR SPRE Tour – Separate Registration Required (Opportunity 2)
3:30 PM5:00 PMWorkshop Session 3
6:30 PM8:00 PMDine-Around Dinner

Thursday, October 26th

Start TimeEnd TimeActivity
8:00 AM8:45 AMGrab & Go Breakfast
9:00 AM10:30 AMWorkshop Session 4 – Expert Led Roundtables
10:45 AM12:15 PMWorkshop Session 5
12:30 PM1:30 PMClosing Plenary Session & Lunch

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The conference venue (McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University) is in the Midtown neighborhood, and the hotel infrastructure for the city and where the room blocks are (Cambria Hotel Downtown Detroit & Doubletree Suites Detroit Downtown) are in the Downtown area. It is less than a 10 minute drive, and we will have complimentary buses running between the hotels and the conference on a first come, first serve basis.

Yes, registration includes appetizers at Tuesday evening’s Opening Reception, then both breakfast and lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. Breakfasts will be “grab and go” style.

You’ll be able to ‘favorite’ whichever sessions you’re most excited about in the Whova event app beforehand, but you won’t need to register. Attendance for sessions will be first come, first serve.

Wayne State is a Detroit institution and a big supporter of community spaces and community development. It is a publicly funded university and resources and accommodations are typical of US universities. The McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University was built in 1958 and is the work of world-renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki. It might not be what you think of for your traditional conference venue and is a bit more classroom like as a university space.